Establishment GOP candidate for Congress to get Hastings blessing

At a “joint announcement” in Richland on Wednesday morning, outgoing Republican U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings is expected to endorse ex-state agriculture director Dan Newhouse to succeed him in the state’s 4th Congressional District.

Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash.: Retiring congressman is expected to announce support for ex-state agriculture commissioner Dan Newhouse as his successor.

Newhouse is the GOP establishment’s candidate in a Republican-vs.-Republican runoff for the Central Washington seat. He is running against a Tea Party favorite, ex-Washington Redskins tight end Clint Didier.

Newhouse needs the Doc. He carried only his base of Yakima County in the August primary. Didier won seven of the 4th District’s eight counties, and came out about 7,300 votes ahead in the Tri-Cities population centers of Benton and Franklin counties.

Hastings is a close friend and ally of House Speaker John Boehner, who is suspect in some conservative Republican quarters.

When Hastings announced his retirement in February, Boehner said: “In addition to being a skilled legislator and leader, he’s the epitome of grace and class and he’s a very dear friend.”

Newhouse is from an old Yakima Valley political family and served in the state House of Representatives. A Republican, he served as agriculture director under Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Clint Didier: The Tea Party-backed Republican is insurgent in the 4th District race.

Newhouse was a TV spokesman in 2013 for the No-on-502 campaign, which opposed a statewide initiative that would have required labeling on genetically modified foods and seeds sold in stores. The food industry and agribusiness spent more than $20 million, and narrowly beat it.

Didier is an Eltopia alfalfa farmer who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and State Land Commissioner in 2012. Didier carried the 4th District in his losing race against the incumbent commissioner, Democrat Peter Goldmark.

Hastings went to Congress in 1994, saying he would serve 10 years. He has been there for 20 years, a House Republican leadership voice on the House Rules Committee and lately chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

He has disagreed with colleagues of both parties, particularly over environmental protection issues. Hastings was strongly critical when President Obama designated a San Juan Islands National Monument.